Officials in Yirol West county say armed youth suspected to be from neighboring Rumbek East county of killed three people and injured one person in separate incidents on Tuesday.

The incidents happened in the Pulthib and Mayom-cuei villages of Yirol West county. Two people were killed and one injured in a road ambush when the three were traveling from Annuol Payam to Mapuordit Hospital, while a man was shot dead and his cattle raided in Mayom-cuei village.

The Payam administrator of Alualuak, Daniel Ichok Dhieu told Radio Tamazuj that Mabol Magot Ayat, Mading Arok Garang, and Majur Malaak were killed in the ambush. He also identified the wounded as Abraham Taban Pial, a staff working with an organization in the county.

Ichok said the ambush was laid by suspected criminals from Rumbek East County and added that the injured man is receiving treatment at the Mapuordit Hospital.

The police chief inspector of Rumbek East County Brigadier General Makur Dak confirmed that the suspects are armed youth from Rumbek East County.

According to him, the criminals made away with an unspecified number of milking cows after killing their owner, the third person, in Mayom-cuei village last night.

He said, "We have not yet received full orders from the governor. He is still touring and is making awareness in the counties. We will soon execute the orders whenever we are given a go-ahead," Dak said.

However, the police inspector in Aluakluak Payam of Yirol West County Lieutenant Michael Mayor Malaak said forces have been dispatched to Paloc Payam of Rumbek East County to pursue the criminals.

He added that the police have apprehended a man suspected to have killed the cattle owner, as they continue to pursue the rest.